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Gerald F. Kavanagh, 89, passed away Monday June 6, 2022, at his home.
Born in St John's, Newfoundland, he was the son of the late Edward and Florence (McNiven) Kavanagh.
In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by his brothers Bill, Ed, and John, and sisters Margaret, Edna, Irene, Joan, Mary, Madeleine, and twin girls who passed shortly after birth.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years, the former Katherine Coady; children Brian Kavanagh (Lynnewood, Wash.), Sheila Kavanagh (Nokomis, Fla.), Sean [Jennifer] Kavanagh (Montpeiler, Va.), and Kelley [Scott] Kavanagh-Watkins (Dallas, Pa.); Brother Errol Kavanagh (San Diego, Calif.); Grandchildren Quinn Kavanagh, Erin Kavanagh, Kaitlin Kavanagh, Conall Kavanagh, Coady Chatman, Lyndsey Burtt, Maddoc Watkins, Sadie Watkins, Calder Watkins, Maeve Watkins, and great grandchildren Aaren Wilton, Carley Kavanagh, and Connor Kavanagh
In 1949 Gerry immigrated to the United States to live in Minnesota with his brother John. He so loved living in the United States that he chose to serve his new country by joining the U.S. Air Force in July 1952.
After joining the U.S. Air Force, as his Irish luck would have it, he was stationed right back in St. John's Newfoundland at Pepperell Air Base, where he met his beautiful bride, Katherine, also a native Newfoundlander, in 1953. The two married on St. Patrick's Day in 1955 at St Patrick's Church in St John's. During Gerry's 22 years of active military service, he and Katherine spent time stationed at bases throughout the United States, Germany, and France.
Gerald was integral in starting the Air Force's telephony cable splicing program, and developed the telephony cable splicing courses to be used for Air Force training. Gerald served in Vietnam from 1969-1970, stationed at Cam Rahn Bay Air Base, and was a member of 485 GEEIA Squadron. During his tour, he did the backbone cable installation and maintenance along Highway 1, the trans-Vietnam highway, which was a vital component in joining northern and southern US military communications together throughout the country.
After his tour in Vietnam, Gerald was stationed in Minot, N.D. until 1973, when he retired from the Air Force. Gerald's military career spanned 22 years, where he ultimately achieved rank of E-9 as a Chief Master Sergeant. Among the many awards and decorations he received, the Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster was his highest distinguished medal.
Upon retiring from the USAF, Gerald was recruited to work for Commonwealth Telephone Company in Dallas, Pa., where, once again, he proved himself to be a true innovator — this time in fiber optic splicing and troubleshooting. He was the first person in the United States to solve how to splice fiber optic cable, and he also developed the methodology for how to practically install the cable. His pioneering work in fiber optics paved the way for him to oversee the construction of the first commercial application of fiber optic cable to be placed throughout the United States. Gerald loved his job and his years at Commonwealth, and loved the people he worked for and with even more. He was both honored and amused to tell people how he was the only guy to work at Commonwealth who answered his phone the exact same way for his entire 21-year tenure: "Outside Plant, Kavanagh."
Everything Gerald did in his life he did with great pride and exceptional commitment. He decided early on in his career that he would never be mediocre at his job, or even one of the best. He believed that if he was going to be a cable specialist, then he was going to be the absolute best cable specialist anyone ever knew! And he was. His commitment to excellence spilled over into everything else Gerald did in life, and there wasn't a problem he couldn't solve, or a thing he couldn't fix. He had a vast collection of wire and electrical tape, either of which would undoubtedly be a part of the solution to pretty much any problem. He was also an avid collector of tools, and firmly believed there was no such thing as too many tools.
Gerald was always looking for ways to improve himself, and this ultimately carried over into the world of athletics when he joined the Wilkes-Barre YMCA and began playing racquetball. It was there that he met a group of guys who loved to run — so Gerald started running with them. It was no surprise he set his sights on completing a marathon, and ultimately ran both the Marine Corps and New York marathons multiple times. With the marathon challenge behind him, at age 50, Gerald learned how to swim competitively, bought a bike, and set his focus on triathlons. He competed in his first triathlon in 1984, and continued to compete in triathlons for over a decade, recruiting many of his family, friends, and even co-workers, to join him. He loved competing so much he had a favorite motto: "Never let work interfere with training!" Even into his late 80's, Gerald made sure to make his training a priority. He could be found any morning at College Misericordia, swimming in the pool or lifting weights in the gym, or walking laps around his neighborhood, where he would ask Katherine to time him, so he could make sure he was always improving, and always achieving a best time.
It probably goes without saying that not only did Gerald love doing sports, he loved watching sports. He lived in Texas for many years, and some may believe that one of his only faults was being a Cowboys fan. He redeemed himself, however, by also being a passionate Notre Dame fan. He found himself in a bit of a pickle when one of his children attended Penn State, but he was a fair and equitable man, and thought nothing of donning his Notre Dame jacket with his Penn State cap.
Gerald was also incredibly proud of his Irish heritage, and especially proud of being a Newfoundlander. During their retirement years, he and Katherine traveled home to Newfoundland, parked their RV in Pippy Park, and spent every other summer fishing for kipling and making memories with their families whom they cherished so much. At his very core, Gerald was and always will be a "Jolly Newfoundlander"!
During his later years, Gerald found the greatest joy in being with his wife and family, and especially his grandchildren. He found so much joy in attending their sporting events, making them "man's eggs," and taking them on excursions to Lowe's, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight. It was in these places where he so loved talking and joking with people, striking up conversations with anyone around him, and making people smile and laugh. His genuine nature made people feel at ease, like he was a friend they've known their whole life. If you knew Gerald, you knew he was one of the good ones, a truly special man. He will be missed beyond measure.
Friends may call Friday, June 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, Inc. 140 N. Main St., Shavertown. A brief prayer service will begin around 5:50 p.m. for those that wish to be present. Private interment in Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gerald's name to the Alzheimer's Association, Wounded Warriors Project, or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
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